Lonesome Bear (First Reader) [Hardcover]

C. Carmichael (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2001 | Series: First Reader

One morning when Bear wakes up, Clara is missing. He searches the house for her. He calls and calls her name, but no one answers. So Bear sets out to find her. He is helped by an abandoned bunny and an independent stray cat who tries to convince Bear of the joys of being on his own. Bear knows better. Clara loves him and he loves Clara, and without her he is a very lonesome bear. Beginning readers will relate to Bear, whether they were introduced to him in Bear at the Beach and Used-Up Bear, or are meeting this engaging hero for the first time.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 1-2-Beginning readers familiar with this character from Bear at the Beach (1996) and Used-Up Bear (1998, both North-South) will enjoy his latest adventure as will children meeting him for the first time. When Bear "loses" Clara, the girl he belongs to, he sets out to find her. Along the way, he becomes friends with an equally lonely bunny and a stray cat who learn about Clara's kindness. Young children will appreciate this story's twist on the usual search for a missing toy as well as the satisfying ending. The text does include a smattering of words that may challenge beginning readers: "wedged," "draper-ies," "wringing," "anxiously." The story's appeal is reinforced by the illustrations that portray the endearing bear searching high and low for his best friend.

Maura Bresnahan, Shawsheen School, Andover, MA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 3-5. Bear, last seen in Used-Up Bear (1998), has another anxiety-ridden day in his latest adventure. When Bear wakes up, his owner, Clara, is nowhere to be seen. He searches the house and finally goes outside, where he meets a rabbit and a cat who have also lost their families, and the three try to console one another. Finally, Clara finds Bear again and brings him home to a cozy dinner, along with the rabbit and the cat; then all four snuggle under the covers and sleep. As in her previous titles, Carmichael tells a poignant, spare story, nicely illustrated in simple, pastel line-and-watercolor art. Young ones will recognize Bear's fear of loneliness and the terror of being left behind, all softened by the comforting ending. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: North-South / Night Sky Books (March 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558589678
• ISBN-13: 978-1558589674
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,301,843 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Award-winning author and illustrator Clay Carmichael's new novel "Wild Things" is a 2010 American Library Association Notable Book, a Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of 2009, winner of the 2009 North Carolina Juvenile Literature Award and a National Association of Parenting Publications Gold Award (NAPPA). Carmichael lives and works in Carrboro, North Carolina with her husband, sculptor Mike Roig. She teaches writing and illustrating and gives talks about about her publishing process and the exotic life of the author. Her picture books are available in many languages. More about Clay: www.claycarmichael.com & www.wincbooks.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars For anyone that had toys that felt alive, March 10, 2011

By 

A. Williams - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lonesome Bear (First Reader) (Hardcover)

While reading this I was so reminded of the likes of the "Velveteen Rabbit" and the Disney/Pixar "Toy Story" films (maybe the book, too, but since I haven't read it, I can't say for sure).

Here, Bear has woken up to find he's slid down between the bed and the wall, and by the time he crawls up his Clara has gone!

Bear tries to find Clara and finds along the way other Lonesome creatures - a Bunny, and a Cat.

The ending is very satisfying and just another reason why I still have all my childhood toys.

I loved the sweet and simple illustrations which perfectly matched the sweet and simple text.

This book is a great fit for someone like me, and I'd definitely recommend it!

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful Read, August 9, 2007

By 

John V. Hyer - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lonesome Bear (First Reader) (Hardcover)

A story for old and young alike. Equally good as a story read to youngsters as well as a story for an early reader.

5.0 out of 5 stars Adorably illustrated -- another gem from Ms. Carmichael, January 19, 2007

By 

T. Nelson (South Elgin, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lonesome Bear (First Reader) (Hardcover)

My son loves this book. It is full of winsome illustrations has a simple but poignant plot centered around love and friendship. If you haven't read a Bear story, this comes highly recommended.